When someone thinks about the definition of a father, they think about the support, care, love and knowledge that a father gives to his offspring. Most people automatically believe that biological fathers, like mothers, raise their children. However, this is not always the case. Many children around the world are raised without their fathers. These children do not have a father figure. People don't realize how detrimental the absence of a father figure can be to the child, both mentally and emotionally. Enrolling boys ages 5 to 16 without a father figure in programs, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, that involve establishing a relationship with someone who can serve as a role model is essential to preventing depression, difficulty expressing emotions and other consequences of the absence of a father figure. A father is someone who protects, loves, supports and raises his children, whether they are biologically related or not. Every person living on Earth has a biological father. These biological fathers are expected to take responsibility for being a father because they helped bring a child into the world. One of the main responsibilities of a father is to provide the child with the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing. A father is not only responsible for the physical aspect but also the emotional aspect. Children need to feel loved, cared for and emotionally supported by their parents. A child needs to be reassured, so a father must show him affection, both physically and emotionally. A father must be involved in the lives of his children. He must be a problem solver, a playmate, a provider, a preparer and he must be principled. A father must p... middle of paper ...... a couple, married or not, who has a child together can be detrimental to the child, mentally, emotionally, educationally, as well as in their plans future. . It is therefore important to have a father figure in the lives of these children. Without a father figure, the child's future is threatened. Children whose fathers are involved in their lives, whether biological, adopted or by step, have a better chance of excelling socially, emotionally and academically. However, if there is no way to get a father figure for a child, mentoring programs are definitely a great way for a child to learn about relationships, principles and morals, discipline and confidence. This program solves the problem of an absent father or father figure. With this program, the emotional damage that an absent father causes to a child can be repaired and saved..